RIO AMERICANO
HIGH SCHOOL
Academia CIVITAS
Political Studies Academy
Linda Reed, CIVITAS Coordinator
civitas@sanjuan.edu
(916) 971-7517 FAX 971-7061
www.riocivitas.com
Brian Ginter, Principal
Matt Collier, Vice Principal
Tanya Baker, Vice Principal
4540 American River Drive
Sacramento, CA 95864
"A California Distinguished School"
Dear Future Rio Freshman,
Congratulations: You are eligible to apply for admission to the CIVITAS program. Academia
CIVITAS is a unique program of enriched curriculum focused on political studies. CIVITAS
students enjoy specialized classes and community-based learning experiences.
Admission to CIVITAS requires completion of an application process. Applications for
Academia CIVITAS can be mailed directly to Rio Americano High School, Attn: Linda Reed.
The admission packet consists of:
1. Application Guidelines and Selection Criteria
2. Application Form including CIVITAS Contract
3. Letter of Recommendation Information Sheet
4. Teacher Recommendation Form
5. Academic Characteristics Form
Once your application has been received, it will be reviewed for completeness and evaluated
according to the admissions criteria. Eligible students will be scheduled for an interview at Rio,
at that time students will also be asked to complete a spontaneous essay. Parents may
accompany their students to the interview, and CIVITAS personnel will be available to answer
parent questions. Applications for CIVITAS accepted all year long. Interviews will be the first
week of December, mid-January and late April or early May. Early admissions applications must
be received by the last Friday in November.



CIVITAS admission applications are being accepted until the available sections are full.
CIVITAS office will notify students of the time and place for interviews which will begin
in early December and later interviews may be scheduled if there are additional openings.
Notification of admission to CIVITAS will be mailed.
We welcome your interest in CIVITAS and look forward to receiving your application. If you
have any questions regarding this application, please call the CIVITAS office during the school
year at 971-7517 and leave a message, or email me at lreed@sanjuan.edu
Sincerely,
Linda Reed
Academia CIVITAS Coordinator
APPLICATION GUIDELINES AND SELECTION CRITERIA
1. A maximum of 35 Freshmen students per class will be selected for Academia CIVITAS.
If enough qualified students apply to the program, more than one freshman class of 35
students may be offered.
2. Selection criteria for students will include:
B. Academic Record: Grades, attendance, citizenship, and test scores. A 3.0 or better
grade in English and Social Sciences is highly recommended. A student with less
than a 3.0 in these subjects may be considered for probationary admission. A
probationary admission would become permanent after successful completion of the
1st semester. A student admitted with probationary status may be requested to take a
study skill building program.
C. Recommendations: One recommendation from a teacher (form is included with this
packet to be completed and mailed to the CIVITAS office by the recommending
teacher), and one personal recommendation from another adult (this recommendation
should be in the form of a letter mailed directly to the CIVITAS office).
D. Essay: Applicant’s ability to write a spontaneous response to a current topic will be
evaluated by the staff at time of interview.
E. Interview: Applicant will be asked to express his/her interest in this specialized
program.
F. Participation Contract: Includes student and parent participation.
3. Type or write neatly in ink to complete documents. Do not send folders, binders, photos, or
other additional documents. These will not be considered by the admission panel.
4. Application packets will be accepted at Rio Americano High School during school
hours. Applications may be mailed or hand delivered to:
Rio Americano High School
CIVITAS Admissions
Attn: Lind Reed
4540 American River Drive
Sacramento, CA 95864
5. Students selected for interviews will be notified by phone or email (if requested).
6. Students will be notified of acceptance. If there are more than 35 qualified students per class,
a waiting list will be established. Placement on the waiting list will be determined by the
criteria outlined above.
CIVITAS APPLICATION FORM
____________________________________________________________________________________
LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
MIDDLE NAME
____________________________________________________________________________________
STREET ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
ZIP
(___)__________________________
HOME TELEPHONE
(___)________________________
WORK TELEPHONE
MALE FEMALE
(Circle One)
PARENT EMAIL
ADDRESS___________________________________________________________________________
STUDENT EMAIL
ADDRESS___________________________________________________________________________
MIDDLE
RESIDENT SCHOOL
SCHOOL______________________________________DISTRICT_____________________________
SOCIAL SCIENCE/CORE
TEACHER___________________________________________________________________________
MOTHER’S
NAME______________________________________________________________________________
FATHER’S
NAME______________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS & TELEPHONE NUMBER OF PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN, if different from above:
____________________________________________________________________________________
STREET ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
ZIP
(___)_______________________________
HOME TELEPHONE
(___)_______________________________________
WORK TELEPHONE
REFERENCES: List the names and addresses of the two people whom you will ask for a
reference. One should be a current teacher and one should be an adult (not a relative) who
knows you personally.
_____________________________
Name/Title
_____________________________
Street
______________________________
City/State/Zip
(____)_________________________
Telephone
(Page 1 of 2)
__________________________________
Name/Title
__________________________________
Street
__________________________________
City/State/Zip
(___)______________________________
Telephone
APPLICATION FORM
Page 2 of 2
____________________________________________________________________________________
LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
MIDDLE NAME
List School/Sports Activities, Leadership Positions and Honors/Awards:
Activity
Grade
Leadership, Honors
6 7 8
List Community Activities:
Activity and Year(s)
Organization
Leadership
CIVITAS PARTICIPATION CONTRACT
As a member of Academia CIVITAS you are about to move into a dynamic world that will open
the doors of opportunity for your future. Everyone involved in CIVITAS is prepared to guide
you throughout high school and make sure you are prepared for success in your higher education
and/or your chosen career.
You must also be prepared to work toward this goal as well. CIVITAS expects you to adopt the
following criteria as a part of your learning experience and discipline:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Be courteous.
Respect other people’s ideas and opinions.
Help create a clean and positive community environment.
Have exemplary attendance.
Come to class on time prepared and with all appropriate materials.
Participate fully in class and out of school learning experiences.
Work cooperatively with other students for mutual success.
Be an active learner—ask questions!
Adhere to an high ethical standard of good citizenship.
All district and school policies will be in effect in all classes. In addition the following CIVITAS
policies will be in effect:
1. Any suspension will result in a parent conference and possible recommendation of removal
from CIVITAS. The student will be automatically placed on a probationary status in
CIVITAS.
2. You will be expected to maintain your academic progress in all subjects. Your grades
should demonstrate work at the highest level of your capability. Tutoring and other
student support programs are available to facilitate student progress. Academic
conferencing may occur if a student’s academic grades fall below a “C”.
3. You will be expected to participate in CIVITAS activities. This will include internship,
senior project, specific academy classes and special activities for your grade level. You will
have to give CIVITAS activities preference in the case of a scheduling conflict.
4. Service learning is a critical component of CIVITAS. Students are expected to participate in
community activities that provide real world application of concepts studied in CIVITAS.
Students are required to document their service learning.
Failure to adhere to the aforementioned standards will result in dismissal from the academy.
Any student removed from the academy will receive a letter indicating the reasons for the
removal following a student/parent conference. NOTE: A student who wishes to withdraw or is
removed from Academia CIVITAS who does not live within the SJUSD boundaries, must return
to his/her home district. The home district will be notified by the CIVITAS office.
Any student voluntarily withdrawing from the Academy must submit a written letter of
resignation signed by student/parent to the CIVITAS Coordinator and a student/parent
conference with the Coordinator may take place.
Parent participation: Parents are requested to volunteer 10 hours per year for CIVITAS. There
will be a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, including: assisting with clerical or telephone
work, attending and working at community forums, making presentations, transporting students,
developing internship opportunities, serving as mentors, serving on the board, interviewing for
admissions, making copies, doing publicity, etc.
PERMISSION TO APPLY
We (student and parents) understand the admission requirements of the CIVITAS program and
the participation requirements.
We understand that this is a four-year commitment to the
program. Thus, we acknowledge and give permission for our child to apply and enroll in
Academia CIVITAS.
I have read and understand the participation requirements for CIVITAS as outlined
above.
Print Name of Student ________________________________________________
Signature of Student ________________________________Date __________________
Print Name of Parent ________________________________________________
Signature of Parent _________________________________Date __________________
Print Name of Parent ______________________________________________________
(optional)
Signature of Parent _________________________________Date __________________
(optional)
Please sign and return this sheet with the completed application.
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
Information Sheet
Who should I ask for a
Letter of Recommendation?
You should choose someone who is an adult who can speak for you on your behalf regarding
your abilities and character. For example: a coach, school administrator, current/former
employer, friend of the family or member of the clergy.
Do NOT choose a family member and do NOT choose one of your teachers.
You should provide the person with a list of your activities so they have some information to
draw upon.
Letters should be typed and on company letterhead if possible.
Letters should be mailed to Linda Reed at Rio Americano High School, 4540 American River
Drive, Sacramento, California, 95864.
REMEMBER:
The Teacher Recommendation Form does not fulfill the Letter of
Recommendation requirement.
8th GRADE TEACHER RECOMMENDATION - Page 1 of 2
STUDENT’S NAME ______________________________________________________
PARENT’S NAME _______________________________________________________
(Please sign before submitting to teacher)
TEACHER’S NAME ______________________________________________________
TEACHER’S EMAIL ADDRESS ____________________________________________
TEACHER’S SIGNATURE ________________________________________________
NAME OF SCHOOL _____________________________________________________
PLEASE FILL OUT BOTH SIDES. IF YOU WISH TO MAKE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS,
PLEASE DO SO ON A SEPARATE SHEET AND ATTACH TO THIS FORM. PLEASE
RETURN THIS TO :
RIO AMERICANO HIGH SCHOOL
ATTN: Linda Reed, Civitas Coordinator
4540 AMERICAN RIVER DR.
SACRAMENTO, CA 95864
PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS
PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS:
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:
Works well with others/liked by others.
Included in group activities.
Concerned with welfare and rights
of others.
Respects property/good citizen.
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
) Exceptional
) Superior
) Above Average
) Average
) Below Average
LEADERSHIP:
Directs activities/inspires confidence in others.
Positive self-concept.
( ) Exceptional
( ) Superior
( ) Above Average
( ) Average
( ) Below Average
) Exceptional
) Superior
) Above Average
) Average
) Below Average
8th GRADE TEACHER RECOMMENDATION - Page 2 of 2
ACADEMIC CHARACTERISTCS
STUDENT’S NAME ______________________________________________________
SCHOLASTIC READINESS:
GROWTH CAPACITY:
Ability to Learn/Intellectual curiosity.
Capacity for original thought.
Capable of learning without close
Supervision.
Capable of benefiting from advanced
study.
(
(
(
(
(
) Exceptional
) Superior
) Above Average
) Average
) Below Average
MOTIVATION:
Committed to learning/attentive to goals.
Inclined to complete tasks.
(
(
(
(
(
) Exceptional
) Superior
) Above Average
) Average
) Below Average
(
(
(
(
(
) Exceptional
) Superior
) Above Average
) Average
) Below Average
EMOTIONAL BALANCE &
MATURITY:
Even disposition.
Survives frustrating experiences/tolerant
of minor disappointments.
(
(
(
(
(
) Exceptional
) Superior
) Above Average
) Average
) Below Average
ADMISSION
RECOMMENDATION:
(
(
(
(
) Recommend Highly
) Recommend
) Recommend With Reservation
) Do Not Recommend